CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — International news media should apply now for accreditation to cover the launch of the Jason-2 satellite on the Ocean Surface Topography Mission (OSTM) at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Because of U.S. Air Force requirements, international news media must submit their applications for credentials more than 30 days before the launch. The deadline is May 15 to allow time for processing.

The launch of OSTM/Jason-2 aboard a Delta II rocket from NASA’s Space Launch Complex 2 is scheduled for June 15, 2008, at 1:47 a.m. PDT. The mission’s goal is to increase understanding of ocean circulation and improve climate forecasts and measurements of global sea-level change. NASA is cooperating with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, France’s Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites on the mission.

International news media should contact:

2nd. Lt. Raymond Geoffroy
30th Space Wing Public Affairs Office
Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif.

Telephone: 805-606-3595
FAX: 805-606-8303
E-mail: raymond.geoffroy@vandenberg.af.mil

The information required from international news media representatives is their full legal name, date of birth, nationality, passport number and media affiliation. Legal photo identification will be required upon arrival at Vandenberg to cover the launch.

For more information about the OSTM/Jason-2 mission, visit

http://sealevel.jpl.nasa.gov/mission/ostm.html